Many moons ago I used to do the proof reading for publicity leaflets like the rovers and this quirk raised it's head then. If I remember the answer I got then was that, although the rover is valid on the various operators in the area, as the FOSW^▸ (Freedom of (the) South West Rover) was a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) sponsored item it would only be valid on lines where GWR actually ran a service, although their argument fell down when it came to the SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) line from Axminster to Salisbury!!

It did seem a bit petty to me at the time but, brick walls and head banging.....

As an aside, if you down load the current map from the GWR website you'll see that both the Chandlers Ford line and Lymington Pier branch are not there..

https://www.gwr.com/stations-and-destinations/stations

3.  Truro.

latest story from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)... Through Newquay - Falmouth from 2026..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwdl4qdj12o

I think this shows where a chunk of the money's going....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8j0vpyll03o

Quick question, as they are expected to run Exeter - Penzance... how Dawlish proof are they?

no.1 -  not too many. on the occasions I've done it, probably once a month, there's been about half a dozen-ish.

no.2 - Perhaps I've been lucky but it's been ok, when I've used it. There was quite a bit of disruption when the A30 was being rebuilt last year and it got to a stage where the delays were bad, especially during the summer that they did split the journey to maintain a regular Truro - Falmouth service but that project is just about complete so shouldn't be a factor. Perhaps First are being cautious.

no.3 - using my experience if it has fair loadings throughout, even mid-winter. Some sections are busier than others. Falmouth to the Uni campus in Penryn always tends to be the busiest. Then pick ups at Devoran & Playing Place into Truro before generally emptying. From Truro bus station people get on for the Railway station then Treliske Hospital (Cornwall's main Hospital) and Threemilestone. After that it is quieter but, especially during the holiday season, it can get quite busy again as it calls at St Agnes (alternate services) and Perranporth and Perran Sands Holiday camp taking people into Newquay.

no.4 You would hope not. During the Roadworks on the A30 when the service was split they did keep through ticketing. The difference then was both parts of the service operated under the same number U1 / U1A. Now it's going to be two different services I'm not optimistic.  I think I'll ask the question.

The current U1 / U1A/E runs hourly through the main part of the day, from Falmouth through Truro and Perranporth to Newquay. From April it will only run Falmouth - Truro with passengers having to change onto the 87.

Does this prove that there isn't a call for a through service? or, more likely, to publicise "the only direct way between these two places" is by the fantastic new Cornwall Metro coming sometime.....

According to the attached, the current contract runs until25th June 2028..

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/first-greater-western-2022-rail-contract

The open top buses have left Cornwall and will not operate the Lands End and Atlantic Coaster services this summer. They will be run by normal buses

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/cornwall-s-open-top-buses-that-tour-scenic-routes-are-absolutely-scrapped/ar-AA1yQ9uv?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=877491671a304631b4595a5f438dc6b7&ei=15

Unfortunately there was a fatality at St Austell yesterday (28th)

I had a post pop up on Facebook with the £3 card offer which I immediately reported as a scam but FB said it was ok!
So just remember "if it seems too good to be true, it probably (most certainly) is"

Minor point..
Clicking the <like> button takes me to an almost blank screen with just the words "Your like has been registered" in the top left corner. I then have to back up and refresh the page.

Win 11 Edge

Edge on Windows 11 all okey dokey

Straight off....  1,  and that was no1.
might be back later...

but the higher basic pay may encourage more people to try and join the railways, if the companies are allowed to employ them.